Banská Bystrica, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY IN SLOVAKIA, PLACES TO SEE SLOVAKIA, BANSKA BYSTRICA

Banská Bystrica, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY IN SLOVAKIA, PLACES TO SEE SLOVAKIA, BANSKA BYSTRICA , Banská Bystrica is the sixth most populous municipality in Slovakia.[1][2] The present town was founded by German settlers,[3] however it was built upon a former Slavic settlement. It obtained the municipal privileges of a free royal town of the Kingdom of Hungary in 1255. The copper mining town acquired its present picturesque look in the Late Middle Ages when the prosperous burghers built its central churches, mansions, and fortifications. It is the capital of the kraj (Banská Bystrica Region) and the okres (Banská Bystrica District). It is also the home of Matej Bel University. As a historical city with an easy access to the surrounding mountains, Banská Bystrica is a popular winter and summer tourist destination. Geography[edit] Banská Bystrica lies at an altitude of 362 metres (1,188 ft) above sea level and covers an area of 103.37 square kilometres (39.9 sq mi).[1] It is about half way between Slovakia's two largest cities, 208 kilometres (129 mi) north-east from Slovakia's capital Bratislava and 217 kilometres (135 mi) west of Košice. A chain of discrete suburbs and villages connects it with Zvolen, another major town 20 kilometres (12 mi) to the south. SLOVAKIA ATTRACTIONS, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY IN SLOVAKIA, PLACES TO SEE SLOVAKIA, BANSKA BYSTRICA